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Sandia Crest Scenic Byway, Sandia Mountains, New Mexico
Photo: Skarz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives New Mexico Santa Fe, Taos and Northern New Mexico

Sandia Crest Scenic Byway

NM 536 · San Antonito → Sandia Crest

Intense12.7 mi25 min3,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 10,600 ftOne way
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The drive

NM 536 is the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway, a 13-mile road that climbs the east side of the Sandia Mountains from San Antonito on NM 14. It is signed as part of the Turquoise Trail. The road runs through pine and fir in many switchbacks, from about 6,800 feet to over 10,000 feet, and it dead-ends at the crest.

This drive ends on the byway just below the summit lot, at 12.7 miles and about 26 minutes. The climb is about 3,900 feet, and the high point reaches 10,634 feet. NM 165 joins the road about 7.6 miles from the NM 14 end.

The road is only driven one way up, then back down the same way.

Along the way

  1. San Antonito (NM-14)
  2. Sandia Crest (below the summit lot)
Elevation
3,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 10,600 ft
San AntonitoSandia Crest
Curves
Twisty most of the way
San AntonitoSandia Crest
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The Forest Service sometimes closes the upper road and crest area for projects, so the road may end at the 10K Trailhead parking lot; check the alerts page before driving up.
  • Snow and ice can affect the upper road in winter.
  • This is a dead-end road with many switchbacks, so you return the way you came.
  • NM 536 is maintained by NMDOT; check NMRoads for current conditions.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Cibola National Forest alerts.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway take?

The Sandia Crest Scenic Byway from San Antonito to just below the summit lot is 12.7 miles and takes about 26 minutes.

Is Sandia Crest road always open?

Not always. The Forest Service sometimes closes the upper part of NM 536 for projects, and winter weather can affect it. Check the Cibola National Forest alerts page first.

How high does the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway go?

The Sandia Crest Scenic Byway climbs about 3,900 feet and reaches 10,634 feet near the crest.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Sandia Crest Scenic Byway, from San Antonito to Sandia Crest